Beverage vending machine



Dec. 16, 1952 R. D. PRICE BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1949 FIG. 5.

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IN VEN TOR. RI CHA RD 0. PR/ c5 ATTORNEYS Dec. 16, 1952 R. D. PRICE BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1949 INVENTOR. RICHARD 0. PRICE ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 16, 1952 R. D. PRICE 2,621,838

BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Filed May 2'7, 1949 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 i N Hj h o I I 1 E 2X ,5; i w K Q Q 1 I 1 w ll Q) 8 INVENTOR. RICHARD D. PR/CE AT TORNEYS.

Deco 16, 1952 R. D. PRICE BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 27, 1949 I 6 I. F

mwx 0 INVENTOR. RICHARD 0. PRICE ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 16, 1952 R. D. PRICE 2,62l,83$

BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Filed May 2'7, 1949 7 Sheet s-Sheet 6 F/G. I5.

INVENTOR. RICHARD 0. PRICE .BYg I ATTORNEYS.

INVENTOR.

7 Sheets-Sheet '7 wnu QNN

P/CHARD D. PR/CE ATTORNEYS.

R. D. PRICE Onn BEVERAGE VENDING MACHINE Dec. 16, 1952 Filed May 27, 1949 won Nmu

Patented Dec. 16, 1952 BEVERAGE VENDING IWACHINE Richard D. Price, Green Lane, Pa., assignor to American National Dispensing 00., Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 27, 1949, Serial No. 95,655

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a vending machine and more particularly to a coin operated vending-machine adapted to dispense beverages comprising a mixture of one or more solids with a liquid.

' A'machine in accordance with this invention is particularly adaptable for the dispensing of hot food beverages, such as, for example, colfee, :cocoa, soups and the like. It is well known that the majority of food products which are prepared with a view to mixing them with hot water for serving as a beverage can best be preserved in the dry state. An excellent example of this is cofiee of the instant type. Such cofiee in powdered'or granular form retains its flavor for every much longer period of time than an instant coifee prepared and stored in the form of a concentrated liquid. It is also true that other food products, such as cocoa and soup concentrates, will retain their flavor in the dry form far longer than in a concentrated liquid form if unrefriger- 'ate'd.

' There are numerous problems involved in developing an economical and satisfactory machine which will store one or more food products in a dry state and dispense them in admixture with a hot liquid. One of the principal problems is to prevent the vapor emanating from the hot liquid from reaching the stored food products and thus causing them to become gummy and clog the dispensing mechanism. '-""Another' 'principal problem is to provide adequate' means for thoroughly mixing the food product with the liquid. Such mean must insure'that all of the food product dispensed from the food storage means will be thoroughly mixed fwith'the liquid, leaving no residue. Further, it 'has'heretofore been a problem to prevent splashing where the liquid and food product were mixed and also prevent splashing when the mixture is dispensed into a cup. A'still further problem of major importance is to provide combined storage and dispensing "-"means which will insure that an accurate amount of food product will be dispensed from the storage means when needed. It'is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide' a vending machine which will dispense "one or more food products in admixture with a'hot liquid and which will preventv the vapor 'from the liquid from getting to the stored food product and thus clogging up the machine.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a beverage vending machine which has unique means for mixing a powdered food product with a liquid.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a vending machine which dispenses one or more powdered food products in admixture with a liquid and which has unique means to store and accurately dispense the food product or products.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a vending machine for beverages which has unique means for preventing the beverage from splashing when it is dispensed into a cup.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a vending machine for dispensing a food product in admixture with a hot liquid which prevents the vapor from the liquid entering the food product storage space by means including a flow of air.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent on reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a vending machine in accordance with this invention "with a part of the casing broken away;

Figure 2 is an elevation through one of the food storage hoppers with the casing broken away;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of an agitator in the hopper of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of an agitator in the hopper of Figure 2;

Figure 6v is a plan view of an agitator in the hopper of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the operating mechanism for the hopper dispensing valves;

Figure 8 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line 8-8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of one of the cams of Figure 8 showing the cam clutching means in the disengaged position;

Figure 10 is a rear view of the cam of Figure 9 showing the cam clutching means in the engaged position;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the cam of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a sectional view showing two of the storage hoppers and the mixing bowl taken on the plane indicated by the line I2l2 in Figure '7 and also showing a portion of the dispensing spout broken away;

Figure 13 is a front elevation of the control cams of Figure 1 with the front of the control cam casing removed;

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the control cams of Figure 13;

Figure is a schematic showing of the oper' ating range of the cams of Figure 13; and

Figure 16 is a wiring diagram of the vending machine power and control circuits.

A vending machine 2 in accordance with this invention is shown in Figure 1. As shown, the vending machine has a casing 4 which acts to support and enclose the various component parts of the vending machine. The casing 4 is shown resting on a floor 6.

Supported within the casing principally by frame I are three identical storage hoppers, A, A and A". As is illustrated more clearly in Figure 2, each of the identical storage hoppers comprises a casing 8 which has a pair of walls I0 separated by 120 and curved front wall I2 which has an inwardly sloping lower portion I4. The hoppers are preferably air tight except for an outlet opening.

Casing 8 has a discharge neck I6 in which is inserted a valve seat member I0. A valve 20 is adapted to engage the valve seat member I3 and is threadably secured to a stem 22. Stem 22 carries a serrated agitator 24, a quadrant -agitator 26 and straight agitators 28 in that order from the lower portion of the stem to the upper portion of-the stem. Stem 22 passes upwardly through bushing 30 and casing 32.

A coil compression spring 84 within casing 32 and resting on the bottom thereof encompasses 2 stem 22 and has its upper end abutting against a flanged nut 35. A nut 38 carries a plate 40 which is adapted to coact with a tappet 42 which is, in turn, secured to a rocker arm.

The valves 20 of th storage hoppers A, A and t:

A" are operated by mechanism which is best shown in Figures '7-'-11. The tappets 42 associated with the valves 20 in the hoppers A, A and A, respectively, are secured to rocker arms 44, 46 and 43, respectively. These rocker arms are journalled on a shaft as which, in turn, is carried at either end by supports 52, 52. Supports 52 are secured to plate 5| which has a rubber gasket sheet 53 adapted to seal closed the tops of the hoppers A, A and A". Spacers 54 encompass shaft and keep the three rocker arms properly positioned on shaft 50.

Each of the rocker arms 44, 45 and 48 have adjustably secured on their rear ends a tappet 56. Tappets 56 have on their lower surface a projection member 53. A shaft 80 is carried in bearings 62, 62 below tappets and is connected to a motor 64 carried by support 65 (see Fig. 1). In association with each tappet 56 and shaft 63 are identical clutches 66, and 66".

Each clutch comprises a serrated faced member 68 which is keyed to shaft 80 and a member I0 having a serrated face adapted to engage the face member 68. Each member 10 has secured thereto a cam '52 which has an opening I4 at the cams-low point and adapted to permit the entry of tappet projection 53 and a flange I6 which is adapted to abut against one side of projection 58. 'Compression coil spring i8 is carried inside members 68 and 10 so as to bias member I0 away from member 68 and cause opening I4 to embrace projection 58, thus insuring that valve 20 will be in the closed position after the declutching occurs. Declutching cannot occur except when valve 20 is in the closed position, since cam I2 will abut against projection member 58 until this member enters opening I4.

Member Hi of clutch is forced against spring I8 into the clutched position by a solenoid through fork $2. The member I?! of clutch 66 is operated by solenoid 84 through fork 86 and member 70 of clutch 66" is operated by solenoid 88 through fork 90.

Shaft 60 is connected to an electric motor 64. It will be apparent that when motor 64 is operated, the cams which are clutched to shaft 60 will rock the related rocker arms, thus opening and closing the desired valve 20. It is preferable that the shaft 60 be operated at about 400 R. P. M. varying widely depending, of course. on factors such as th food product to be dispensed. Such a speed provides extremely accurate metering of the, food products out of the hoppers and permit the agitators to work with maximum efficiency.

The hoppers A, A and A are each supported by a sleeve 94 into which the discharge neck I6 fits. Sleeve 94 is threaded to a Venturi tube 06 which fits into bowl inlet opening 98. Each tube 95 has a flange I00 which engages the-bowl cover I02.

Bowl cover I02 is secured to bowl I03 by bolts I534. The cover I02 has a circular flang I06, the upper portion of which fits tightly insidebowl I03. The lower portion of flange I08 is spaced slightly away from the inner surface of bowl I03 providing a passage I08. Bowl I03 has a semicircular cut-out portion- IIO forming an annular conduit above passage I08. A hot water supply line I I4 runs into cut-out portion I I 0 tangentially at IIG. It will be apparent from the construction of top Hi2 and bowl I03 discussed thus far that hot water supplied by pip II4 will be delivered to the bowl without-splashingand. in a manner such that there will beat flow of water throughout the full extent of the bottom of the bowl.

The bowl bottom I I8 slopes downwardly toward discharge opening I20, the bottom- IIB forming together with flange I05 a portion of passage I. Discharge orifice I20 is shaped like a truncated cone having its greatest diameter at its lower end I22. It will b noted that the bowl bottom I I8 and discharge orifice I20 form a venturi which promotes the discharge of the beverage to be vended. It will further be noted that the tubes are offset from discharge orifice I20 in-order that the ingredients being discharged from the hopper will fall into the bowl rather than directly through orifice I20.

The flow of liquid from' the bowl I03 after passing through discharge orifice I20 is carried by a tube turn I24,a tube I26 and a tube I20. In order to prevent splashing ina receiving-vessel, a baiiled nozzle I30 is placed in the end of tube I28. Nozzle I30 has a smaller radius than the other flow conducting tubes and has opposed bafiles I32 and I34 to reduce the rate of discharge into the receiving vessel and prevents splashing therein. Tube I26 has an upwardly extending vent tube I36 to insure adequate venting of tube I23 (see Fig. 1).

In order to prevent the condensation of any vapor rising from bowl I03 on bowl inlet opening 98 and tube 56, hot water is supplied through pipe I38 to passage I40 in top I02. Passage I40 takes a circular path exterior of inlet openings 00 and tubes 96 and is discharged through pipe I42. Since top I02 is in heat conducting'relationship with bowl Hi3, this hot water circulation keeps bowl H23 warm, thus preventing the chilling of the first drink to be made after a period of non-use.

In order to prevent any vapor rising frombowl I03 into the hoppers A, A, A" or into the pa later.

sages formed between the hoppers and the bowl, a flow of air is introduced into each sleeve 84 below each valve 20 through a line I44. Each line I44 is connected to a centrifugal blower I46 of any conventional type well known in the art which is driven by a motor I48 (Fig. 1).

When the flow of water from the bowl into tube I28 is sufficient to result in a full capacity flow of water through nozzle I30, the air supplied by lines I44 will not be able to vent through nozzle I30 as rapidly as is desirable. This would result in a restriction in the continuous flow of air from lines I44 downwardly into the bowl. The provision of vent tube I36 by providing a passage through which the air can vent irrespective of the flow conditions in nozzle I30, insures the desired continuous flow of air through lines 244 downwardly into the bowl.

The hot water utilized by the vending machine is supplied by a conventional hot water tank I50 which has a heating coil I52. The temperature of the water in the tank is controlled by a thermostatically controlled switch device I54.

Tank I50 has a water supply pipe I58 which has a valve I58 controlled by solenoid I50. The

' I40 form a constantly circulating hot water system with tank I50.

A cup dispenser I12 has a releasing plunger I14 operated by a solenoid I18. A tube I28 and a slide I80 are adapted to carry-a released cup to platform I82 and support bracket I84 which are adapted to support a cup directly below nozzle I30. Any suitable automatic cup dispensing device may be used. Thus, for example, the solenoid I16 could be connected to the plunger 2| of the cup dispenser disclosed in Patent 1,260,432,

issued to H. Nias and dated March 26, 1918. If the Nias dispenser were utilized, of course, his

cup supporting means comprising his spring 40 and lugs 4I would not be utilized since here it is desired to permit the cup to freely fall down tube 118.

'A wire recorder I88 of any kind well known in the art may be secured to the front of cabinet 4. The cabinet 4-has a cut-out portion for the reception of the wire recorder speaker I88.

Secured within casing 4 is a control box 280. The contents of the control box will be made more apparent by the description of the wiring diagram shown in Figure 16 which will follow A series of selector switches 202, 284, 206 and 208 have operating buttons protruding through the control box 208 and through the casing 4. The vendee will push a selector button so that the combination which he desires will result. Thus, for purposes of example, pushing selector switch 202 will provide the vendee with a cup of cofiee without cream or sugar, selector button 204 will provide a cup of coifee with sugar,

'running motor 2I0 having suitable reduction gears and which drives a shaft 2J2 carried in ,bearings 2I4.

Bearings 2I4 are secured to a switch box 2I6- (Fig. 13). A series of cams 2I8,

6 220, 222, 224 and 226 are secured to shaft 2I2 and adapted to operate switches 230, 232, 234, 238 and 238, respectively, through the medium of cam followers 228, which are spring biased against the cams.

The arc through which each cam cams down its respective follower 228 is shown schematically in Figure 15, the camming down operation taking place through the arc which is shaded. The cams rotate clockwise and it will be apparent that from the zero position cam 2I8 operates imme diately followed soon thereafter by cam 220 and then simultaneously by cams 222, 224 and 226. Again cams 222, 224 and 226 permit their respective followers to move upwardly thus disengaging their respective switches before cam 220 so operates, the cam 220, in turn, operating before the cam 2I8 permits its follower to rise and operate its respective switch.

It will be apparent that the precise time of operation of the various cams will vary depending on the food product being dispensed as will the speed of rotation of shaft 2I2. As in the illustrative case, it is preferable that shaft 2I2 rotate at a speed of about 8-12 R. P. M.

Cams 220, 222, 224 and 226 close switches 232, 234, 236 and 288 when they cam their respective followers 228 downwardly. In the case of cam 2I8 it acts to shift the position of switch 230 which is a two-position switch as will be made more apparent in the description of the wiring diagram.

On the front of casing 4 at the right hand side is a coin slot 244 which is connected to a coin conduit 248 leading to a conventional coin operating and receiving mechanism 248 consisting primarily of a switch momentarily operated by the passage of the coin. The switch may be, for example, one such as is disclosed in. Patent 2,461,486 issued February 8, 1949, to H. B. Vroom. As is well known in the art, the coin mechanism may have means to reject slugs.

The overall operation of the vending machine will be clarified by a consideration of the Wiring diagram shown in Figure 16. A volt power supply line comprising a line 252 and 254 may be utilized by way of example. Blower motor I48 is connected across the power supply lines by line 256 and line 258, the latter line having a normally closed switch 268, thus providing for the normal continuous operation of blower I46.

Lines 262 and 284 are connected to power supply lines 252 and 254, respectively, and supply power to all of the circuits of wire recorder I88 with the exception of the driving motor and its controls. v I 4 Heating coil I52 of hot water tank I50.is.con-

nected across power supply lines 252 and254 by lines 268 and 268, respectively. The thermostatically controlled switch I54 is placed in line 266.

282, selector switch 208 and line 294; and through line 288, line 288, selector switch 208 and line 298. Relay 212 is connected to line 284 as follows: line 388, selector switch 284 and line 290; and line 300, line 302, selector switch 208 and line 298. -Relay 214 is connected to line 284 as follows: by line 304, selector switch 206 and line 204; and

7 by line 304, line 306, selector switch 208 and line 298.

When a coin is placed in slot 244, the coin drops down and actuates switch 248, momentarily energizing relay 3I0 which is connected to power lines 252 and 254 by lines 3I2 and 3I4, respectively.

Since relay 3I6 is energized being connected to power supply line 252 by line 3I8, switch 230 and line 320 and to line 254 by line 326, line 284 is connected to power supply line 252 through switch element 324 of relay 3I0, lines 328 and 330, relay 3I6 and lines 332 and 320.

As will be made apparent later, closing of switch 248 causes motor 2I0 to drive which in turn results in cam 2I8 immediately camming switch 230 so that it connects line 320 with line 328 instead of with line 3I8. This results in connecting line 323 to line 252 through switch 230 and line 320 causes relays 3I6 to be deenergized and, therefore, deenergizes the circuit through relay 3| 6 which connects line 328 to ,line 252.

Switch 230 is shifted to contact line 328 before coin mechanism switch 248 opens. The relay 3| 0 is thus kept energized since line 3I2 is connected to line 328 through line 334 and the switch element 324 of relay 3 I0.

Now, if the customer determines that he wants coffee without sugar or cream and consequently closes selector switch 202, it will be apparent that relay 210 will be energized which will connect line 284 to the motor 64 through line 336, switch element 338 of relay 210, line 340, line 342 and line 344. Motor 64 is also connected to line 254 by line Thus as soon as relay 210 is closed, motor 64 commences to operate resulting in the reciprocation of valves and the dispensing of the selected food products into bowl I02.

Cam control motor 2I0 being connected to line 344 by line 348 and to line 346 by line 358 will also commence to operate at this time. Similarly the wire tape recorder motor I 86 being connected to line 344 by line 352 and to line 346 by line 354 will commence to operate.

In addition, the closing of relay 210 will actuate solenoid I16 since it is connected to line 342 and to power supply line 254 and thus a cup will be released and positioned for the reception of the beverage to be dispensed.

When relay 210 is energized, it is connected to line 284 through line 286, line 356, switch element 338 and line 336 thus keeping the relay energized irrespective of selector switch 202.

It will be apparent from the above description of the manner in which relay 210 is connected to line 284 through selector switches 204, 206 and 208 that the closing of any of these switches as well as the closing of switch 202 will result in the relay 210 bein energized. Similarly it will be seen that closing of either of the selector switches 204 or 208 will result in energizing relay 212. Relay 214 will be energized by closing either selector switch 206 or selector switch 208.

As in the case of relay 210, the relays 212 and 214 each have a holding circuit connecting these relays to line 284 and by-passing all selector switches. The holding circuit of relay 212 comprises line 300, line 360, switch element 362 of relay 212 and. line 364 which is connected to line 284. The holding circuit of relay 214 comprises line 304, line 366, switch element 368 of relay 214 and line 310 which is connected to line 284.

Clutch solenoid 80 which is utilized to clutch cam 12 of clutch 86 to shaft 60 is connected to '8 line 216 by line 312 and to line 340 by line 314 and switch 234 which is operated by cam 222.

Solenoid 84 which acts to clutch cam 12 of clutch 66' is connected to line 216 by line 316 and to line 364 through line 318, switch 236, which is controlled by cam 224, line 380 and switch element 362 of relay 212.

Solenoid 88 which acts to clutch the cam 12 of clutch 66" to shaft 60 is connected to line 216 through line 382 and to line 310 by line 384, switch 238, which is controlled by cam 226, line 386 and switch element 368 of relay 214.

Solenoid I60 which controls water supply valve I 58 is connected to power supply line 254 through line 390 and 392 and to power supply line 252 through lines 394, and 396, switch 232, which is controlled by cam 220, line 398 and line 266. Solenoid I 66 which operates valve I64 which controls the flow of hot water to bowl I03 is connected to power supply line 254 by line 392 and is connected to line 396 by line 480.

The operation of the vending machine where it is desired to utilize it for dispensing a cup'of coffee and where hoppers A, A, A" consequently contain powdered instant coffee, powdered 'or ranular sugar and powdered cream, respectively, will be described as being exemplary.

Switch 260 will normally be closed and thus blower motor I48 will operate continuously causing blower I46 to supply a flow of air which will pass into each hopper and downwardly into the passages below the hopper, the hopper itself being ir-tight. Also a constant circulation'of hot water through chamber I40 will take place through tank I50 and through chamber I40, the temperature of tank I50 being maintained by heating coil I52 controlled by thermostatic switch I54. The circuits of the wire recorder I86 with the exception of the motor and its controls are continuously energized.

The initial step of the customer is to insert an appropriate coin in slot 244 which results in the momentary closing of switch 248. This, as we have seen, results in energizing line 284 through the medium of relays 3I0, 3I6, switch 230 and the circuits associated with these elements, it being particularly noted that relay 3I0 has a holding circuit to keep it energized when switch 248 opens.

The customer then selects his beverage, i.-e., coffee alone, coffee and sugar, coffee and cream or coffee, sugar and cream, by pushing the spring loaded push button of selector switch 202, selector switch 204, selector switch 206 or selector switch 208, respectively. Irrespective of which selector switch is pushed, it will be apparent from the above described circuit diagram that relay 210 will be energized. This results, in turn, in energizing line 340, thus causing motors 64, I86 and 2I0 and solenoid I16 to operate.

The operation of solenoid I16 pushes plunger I14 inwardly resulting in the release of a cup from a cup dispensing mechanism I12, the cup falling through tube I18, slide I and being positioned below nozzle I30.

The operation of wire recorder motor I86 results in the delivery of the recording made on the wire recorder tape to the vendee through the speaker I88.

The operation of motor 2I0 rotates shaft 2I2 which carries the timing cams 2I8, 220, 222, 224 and 226. As is apparent from the schematic showing of Figure 15, cam 2I8 immediately causes switch 230 to shift from line 3I8 to line 328 which connects line 328 to power supply line 252 through the alternate route of line 328. This operation of switch 238 simultaneously deenergizes relay 3I6, thus opening the circuit through relay 3I6 which originally connected line 252 to line 328.

Next in sequence is the closing of switch 232 by cam-228. This energizes solenoids I58 and I66 which, in turn, results in the admission of water to tank I58 through valve I58 and the supply, of hot water to bowl I83 through the opening of valve I64.

- Thus the hot water commences to how in bowl I83 before any of the contents from the hoppers are delivered to the bowl. As pointed out above, the vapor rising from the hot water is prevented from getting to the powdered materials before they get into the bowl by means of hot water chamber I40 and air supplied by :blower I48.

Cams 222, 224 and 226 now cam closed switches 234,236 and 238. This results in the energizing of solenoid 88 irrespective of which selector switch has been closed. Thus, in all cases, cam 12 or clutch 66 will be clutched to shaft 58 which is now rotating since motor 84 has been energized. Thus the valve 28 of hopper A will be rapidly, reciprocated permitting codes to be metered out into bowl I83 where it will fall on the hot water passing over the surface of the bOttomI I8 of the bowl.

Similarly sugar, in addition to the cofiee, will be dispensed from hopper A if either selector switch 284 or selector switch 288 was closed since solenoid 84 will then be energized causing the operation of clutch 68. Similarly, in addition to cofiee, the powdered cream in hopper A will be dispensed if either selector switches 286 or 288 was closed. This will result in solenoid 88 being energized, which, in turn, operates clutch 56". The pushing of selector switch 288 will thus apparently result in the energizing of solenoids 88, 84 and 88 and thus in the simultaneous dispensing of coffee, sugar and cream into bowl I83,

Next in the sequence of events, cams 222, 224

and 228 permit switches 234, 238 and 238 to open thus stopping the dispensing of the selected ingredients from the hoppers into the :bowl. As described above, as each solenoid is deenergized, spring N3 of each clutch will push clutch member I8 away from clutch member 68 and force cam I2 against projection 58 until opening I4 engages projection 58 at which time the spring I8 will force flange I6 to abut against the side of projection-58. The cams as thus positioned permit .each spring 34 to fully close each valve 28. 'Next, cam 228 permits switch 232 to open thus stopping the fiow of water into the tank I58 through valve I58 and into bowl I83 through valye l64 since solenoids I68 and IE8 will be deer 'ergized.

Following this, cam 2I8 permits switch 238 to disengage line 328 and reengage line 3I8. Cam 2I8 is -cut so that there is a suflicient time interval between the disengagement of line 328 and the reengagement of line 3I8 such that relay 3I8 will become deenergized before relay 3| 6 becomes energized. This results in deenergizing line 284 which, in turn, results in deenergizing solenoid I16, motors 64, I86 and 2H! and any of the relays 2'18, 212 and 214 which were energized, This completes a full cycle of operation.

The above described vending machine and its operation is illustrative only and this invention is intended to be limited only as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage vending machine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, a water delivery conduit leading to said bowl adapted to be connected to a supply of hot water, a valve controlling fiow through said conduit, a storage receptacle above the bowl, a passage for the flow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a second valve controlling said passage, means to cause a flow of air through said passage towards the bowl, and means for effecting the opening of the first valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of hot water to the bowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of mate- I rial from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

- said passage, and means for effecting the opening of the first valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a how of hot water to the bowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of timeto provide a fiow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

3. A beverage vending machine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, a hot water supply tank, a water delivery conduit leading from said tank to said bowl, a valve controlling flow through said conduit, a storage receptacle above the bowl, a passage for the fiow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a second valve controlling said passage, a blower, an air supply circuit connecting said blower and said passage, a hot water jacket adjacent said pas sage, a pipe connecting the upper part of the hot water tank to said jacket and a pipe connecting the lower part of the hot water tank to said jacket, said tank and pipes providing a continuous circulation of hot water through the jacket, and means for efiecting the opening of the first valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of hot water to the bowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

4. A beverage vending machine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, a water delivery conduit leading to said bowl adapted to be connected to a supply of hot water, a valve controlling flow through said conduit, a storage receptacle above the bowl, a passage for the flow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a venturi in said passage, a second valve controlling said passage, means to cause a flow of air through said passage towards the bowl, and means for effecting the opening of the first valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a fiow of hot water to the bowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

5. A beverage vending machine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, 3, water delivery conduit leading to said bowl and adapted to be connected to a supply of hot water, a valve controlling fiow through said conduit, a storage receptacle above the bowl, a passage for the fiow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a second valve controlling said passage, heating means adapted to heat said passage-and said bowl and means for effecting the opening of th first valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of hot water to'the bowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a-fiow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

6. A beverage vending machine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, a water delivery conduit leading to said bowl and adapted to be connected to a supply of hot water, a valve controlling flow through said conduit, a storage receptacle above the bowl, a passage for the flow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a second valve controlling said. passage, means to cause a, flow of air through said passage towards the bowl, heating means adapted to heat said passage and said bowl, and means for effecting the opening of the first valvefor a predetermined length of time to provide a fiow of hot water to thebowl and the opening of the second valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl.

7. A beverage vendingmachine comprising a mixing bowl having an open outlet, a water delivery conduit leading to said bowl and adapted to be connected to a supply'of hot water, a valve controlling fiowthrough said conduit, a storage receptacle-above the bowl, a passage for theflow of material from said receptacle to said bowl, a

second valve controlling said passage, a stem secured to said valve and passing upwardly through the storage receptacle, agitators secured to said stem, rocker arm means adapted to act on said stem and open the valve and spring mean adapted to close the valve, a cam operatively related to the rocker arm, motor means to rapidly rotate the cam to effect the repeated opening of said second mentioned valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of material from the storage receptacle to the bowl and means to open said first mentioned valve for a predetermined length of time to provide a flow of hot water to the bowl.

RICHARD D. PRICE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,627,147 Clark May 3, 1927 1,637,189 Helberger July 26, 1927 1,944,809 Rogers Jan. 23, 1934 1,980,931 Rothermel Nov. 13, 1934 2,065,095 Riegler Dec. 22, 1936 2,462,019 Bowman Feb. 15, 1949 2,526,735 Duce Oct. 24, 1950 2,569,486 Mills Oct. 2, 1951 

